Chick with Bowed Thigh Bones

[Weetamoo93]

My hen recently hatched 5 lovely babies, but I noticed one having mobility issues from the start. It's been 4 days and it still "flounders" behind the mom and siblings, who are doing excellent. I picked it up and realized it's thigh bones are bowed out in a "U" shape. Would malpositions in the egg cause this? Or do I need to be concerned about bad genetics?

I'm going to monitor and see how it does, but I'm not really big on special needs birds.

I'll see about going back out and getting photos to share.

 

[MysteryChicken]

My hen recently hatched 5 lovely babies, but I noticed one having mobility issues from the start. It's been 4 days and it still "flounders" behind the mom and siblings, who are doing excellent. I picked it up and realized it's thigh bones are bowed out in a "U" shape. Would malpositions in the egg cause this? Or do I need to be concerned about bad genetics?

I'm going to monitor and see how it does, but I'm not really big on special needs birds.

I'll see about going back out and getting photos to share.

Sounds like rickets.

 

[Weetamoo93]

Sounds like rickets.

That was my thought. Didn't know chicks could get rickets.

But I've hatched 18 so far this year, all under broodies, and none of the others have had issues.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That was my thought. Didn't know chicks could get rickets.

But I've hatched 18 so far this year, all under broodies, and none of the others have had issues.

It more common in fast growing Cornish breeds.
I'm not totally sure it can be corrected, but it's linked to calcium deficiency. So the hen may have been deficient, & passed it to this chick.

 

[Weetamoo93]

Photos of chick

I think it has issues getting its feet to remain flat. It's so small it's hard to get a good illustrative photo of what I'm feeling.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Photos of chick

I think it has issues getting it's get to remain flat. It's so small it's hard to get a good illustrative photo of what I'm feeling.

Looks like rickets.
I would cull this chick if it were mine. It's gonna struggle.

 

[FunClucks]

What breed?

In broilers, CX, and meat birds, Varus Valgus deformity happens - look it up for into. It causes legs to grow in weird directions. I've had a few with weird legs from this cause. It's a genetic issue and shows up any time after hatch. I was seeing it in chicks a few months old. Once the malformity appeared, I generally ate them, because I figured a quick end was better than them being in constant pain.

Not saying that's your issue, but I don't know.

 

[Weetamoo93]

Looks like rickets.
I would cull this chick if it were mine. It's gonna struggle.

I'm leaning this way because the curled toes make me think there may be issues with tendons.

What breed?

Some mix of Partridge Plymouth Rock, Ayam Cemani, Speckled Sussex, and maybe Black Copper Maran.

I can't really eat it at this size (I do eat my birds), but I do have a few trees I'm putting in the chicken run, so it would be fertilizer.

 

[FunClucks]

Some mix of Partridge Plymouth Rock, Ayam Cemani, Speckled Sussex, and maybe Black Copper Maran.

I can't really eat it at this size (I do eat my birds), but I do have a few trees I'm putting in the chicken run, so it would be fertilizer.

As long as it re-enters the cycle of life, its life will not have been in vain. Some critter will get a tasty snack, or your tree will enjoy it. Kudos to you for helping it not suffer for something that can't be fixed. Poor thing.